Scarlets leave Cardiff feeling blue!

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

 

After the disappointment of the loss against the Tigers, the Scarlets bounced back with a confident win against the Blues in the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night. The Blues started strongly, but character and determination from the Scarlets resulted in the away team controlling the game.

 

The Scarlets opened the scoring with a Rhys Priestland penalty, and despite an almost off day with the boot, he put in a confident, man-of-the-match performance. However, it was the Scarlets pack that were the toast of the town. The backs were not to be outdone though, and put in the type of good handling and ball control that they are becoming famous for once again.

The home team secured the opening try on 22 minutes with Ceri Sweeney crossing under the posts, but the Scarlets almost became their own worst enemies, as both Iestyn Thomas and Ben Morgan crossed the try line without sufficient downward pressure on the ball.

In a game with 32 penalties, 20 of which were against the home team and 2 yellow cards apiece, the Scarlets could have gone into the half time break in lead, rather than trailing 9-10.

For once, the Scarlets came out for the second half with all guns blazing, and maintained the pressure on the Blues. Nigel Davies had the luxury of being able to use a strong bench and it was not long before Stephen Jones was prominent in creating a great try for Rhys Priestland which was also converted by Stevo!

The Blues did attempt to attack the Scarlets during the latter stages of the game, but as ‘Sospan Fach’ ran out in the capital city, they found it increasingly difficult to run out of their own half.

This was a well deserved 16-10 point victory, putting the men in Scarlet 2nd in the Magners League.  It was a match though that could and maybe should have been a bonus point win for the Scarlets, and was a fitting reward for the travelling supporters who kept the faith that West really is best!